Mechanism for supporting toilet bowl covering members

ABSTRACT

A mechanism for supporting toilet bowl covering members, comprises a cylinder fixedly mounted on a toilet body and rotatably supporting a toilet seat or a toilet lid, lock plates fitted within the cylinder and connected for rotation with the toilet seat or the toilet lid, and a plurality of sliding rings fitted around the lock plates and held in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder and having respective arcuate recesses of gradually variable arcuate lengths for controlling rotation of said lock plates. When the toilet seat or the toilet lid is rotated to close the toilet body, the lock plantes are also rotated to successively come into contact with steps in the recesses. As a result, the sliding rings are successively pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder so that the member closes slowly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a mechanism for slowly closing at leastone toilet bowl covering member such as a toilet seat and a toilet lid.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional toilet bowl is provided with a toilet seat on which auser is seated. Typically, a toilet lid overlies on the toilet seat. Thetoilet seat and the toilet lid are both rotatably mounted to the toiletbowl by means of a pivot connection. If the user releases his hand fromthe toilet seat or the toilet lid in its vertical or open position, itis rapidly moved to its closed position under the influence of gravity.Contact of the toilet seat with the toilet bowl or contact of the toiletlid with the toilet seat causes substantial noise, and the user may feeluncomfortableness due thereto. Also, such contact may cause damage tothe toilet components. In order to solve such problems, there wasprovided a damper mechanism designed to slowly close a toilet seat or atoilet lid, such as shown in Japanese laid-open patent publication No.Sho 62-261727. The prior art damper mechanisms are, however, complicatedin structure, expensive to manufacture, and often subject to mechanicaltrouble.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing problems, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a simple mechanism for slowly closing a toilet seatand/or a toilet lid.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a mechanism forsupporting toilet bowl covering members, which suitably reduces thespeed of rotation of a toilet seat or a toilet lid so as to preventsudden contact of same with a toilet body as well as uncomfortablenoise. Advantageously, the present invention is simple in structure.Also, it is highly durable and is economical since sliding rings andother components are free of mechanical trouble.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a supportmechanism which generally includes a cylinder mounted on a toilet bodyand supporting at least one of a toilet seat and a toilet lid, lockplates fitted within the cylinder and having one end connected forrotation with the toilet seat or the toilet lid, and a plurality ofsliding rings fitted around the lock plates and held in sliding contactwith the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder. The sliding ringshave respective arcuate recesses with two steps. The circumferentiallengths between the two steps of the recesses gradually increase oneafter another. When the toilet seat or the toilet lid is rotated toclose the toilet body, the lock plates are also rotated to successivelydisengage from one of the steps and come into engagement with the otherstep. As a result, the sliding rings are pressed against the innerperipheral surface of the cylinder to thereby control the rotation ofthe lock plates.

A mechanism for slowly closing a toilet seat and/or a toilet lid whichgenerally includes a cylinder, lock plates rotatably fitted within thecylinder, and a plurality of sliding rings held in place between thelock plates and the cylinder. The sliding rings have arcuate recesses ofgradually variable circumferential lengths. When the toilet seat or thetoilet lid is rotated to open the toilet body, the lock plates are alsorotated within the cylinder. At this time, the sliding rings fittedaround the lock plates come into contact with and slowly slide along theinner peripheral surface of the cylinder. This allows for easy openingof the toilet seat or the toilet lid. When the toilet seat or the toiletlid is rotated to close the toilet body, the lock plates are alsorotated to contact with the step. At this time, the sliding rings arepressed against the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder. Thisallows for slow rotation of the sliding rings. The sliding rings haverespective arcuate recesses of gradually varying arcuate lengths. Whenthe lock plates are rotated, they are successively brought intoengagement with the step of each of the recesses whereby the slidingrings are pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder.Accordingly, the speed of rotation of the lock plates graduallydecreases, and the toilet seat or the toilet lid slowly rotates in adirection to close the toilet body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the invention may be had by reference to thefollowing detailed description when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings; in which:

FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view showing the principal part of amechanism for closing a toilet seat and a toilet cover;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a conventional toilet system;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of a sliding ringfitted within a cylinder and having a nallowest arcuate recess; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of a sliding ringfitted within the cylinder and having a widest arcuate recess.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a conventional toilet bowl or body 1 isprovided at its upper side with a toilet seat 2 on which a toilet lid 3overlies. The toilet seat 2 and the toilet lid 3 can be opened andclosed with respect to the toilet body 1. In other words, the toiletseat 2 and the toilet lid 3 are rotatably movable between a verticalposition and a horizontal position. A box 4 is situated behind thetoilet seat 2 and the toilet lid 3. FIG. 1 shows, in section, a closingmechanism mounted for closing of the toilet seat 2 and the toilet lid 3.

Specifically, the closing mechanism generally includes a cylinder 5about which the toilet seat 2 and the toilet lid 3 are rotatable. Thecylinder 5 is cylindrical in shape and made of metal. The cylinder 5extends horizontally and has a right end rotatably fitted over arotatable boss 3a which extends inwardly from the edge of the toilet lid3 and a left end rotatably supported by a rotatable boss 2a whichextends downwardly from the toilet seat 2. This cylinder 5 has anintegral base 9 which is, in turn, fixed to the toilet body 1 by a bolt(not shown). The cylinder 5 may be positioned either at the right end orthe left end of each of the toilet seat 2 and the toilet lid 3. A spring6 is disposed centrally within the cylinder 5. A pair of left and rightlock plates 7 and 8 is positioned symmetrically with respect to thespring 6. The lock plates 7, 8 include cylindrical bases 70, 80 andplate-like elements 71, 81, respectively. The plate-like elements 71, 81extend axially of the cylinder 5. A plurality of sliding rings 10a to10f and 10A to 10F (Illustratively, each lock plate has six slidingrings thereon) surround the lock plates 7 and 8, respectively. Thesliding rings 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e and 10f are identical in structureto the sliding rings 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E and 10F, respectively.

The outer surfaces of the sliding rings 10a to 10f and 10A to 10F areall in sliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder5. The spring 6 serves to urge the sliding rings 10a to 10f and 10A to10F toward the cylindrical bases 70, 80 of the sliding plates 7, 8 or ina direction to prevent disengagement of the sliding rings from the lockplates 7 and 8.

The lock plate 7 has at its left end projections 7a fitted into recesses2b formed in the rotatable boss 2a of the toilet seat 2. Upon rotationof the toilet seat 2, the lock plate 7 can be rotated within thecylinder 5. Likewise, the lock plate 8 has at its right end projections8a fitted into recesses 3b formed in the rotatable boss 3a of the toiletlid 3. Upon rotation of the toilet lid 3, the lock plate 8 can berotated within the cylinder 8. The lock plates 7, 8 are made of metal orresin and are plate-like in shape.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the sliding rings 10a, 10f fitted within the cylinder5, respectively.

The sliding rings 10a to 10f and 10A to 10F are all made of elastomericmaterials such as rubber or flexible synthetic resin and are in the formof a ring. Each sliding ring has a pair of diametrically opposite steps11, 11 at its outer periphery. Arcuate portions 12, 12 extendcircumferentially in one direction from the steps 11, 11 and occupyapproximately one fourth of the outer periphery respectively. The outerperipheral surface of each of the arcuate portions 12, 12 is in slidingcontact with the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 5. Recesses13, 13 extend circumferentially in the other direction from the steps11, 11 and occupy approximately one fourth of the outer periphery. Theouter peripheral surfaces of the recesses 13, 13 are spaced apart fromthe inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 5. Each of the slidingrings 10a to 10f has a centrally disposed opening 20. The opening 20 hasa pair of diametrically opposite arcuate recesses 21, 22 which extendcircumferentially with a distance X₁ (FIG. 3). The recess 21 includestwo steps 31, 32 at its opposite ends, and likewise, the recess 22 hastwo steps 33, 34 at its opposite ends. Opposite side edges of the lockplate 7 are in engagement with the recesses 21, 22, respectively. If thelock plate 7 is rotated in a clockwise direction (direction R in FIG.3), the opposite edges of the lock plate 7 are moved away from the steps31, 33 and then brought into engagement with the steps 32, 34,respectively. Further rotation of the lock plate 7 causes the slidingring 10a to rotate whereby the arcuate portions 12, 12 are stronglypressed against the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 5. In otherwords, if the sliding ring 10a is rotated, by the length X₁, in aclockwise direction (R), the arcuate portions 12, 12 are deformed insuch a direction as to increase the diameter of the sliding ring 10a.This results in an increase in a frictional force Fa between the arcuateportions 12, 12 and the cylinder 5 and causes the sliding ring 10a torotate slowly.

As shown in FIG. 4, the sliding ring 10f includes two recesses 21, 22each having an arcuate distance X₆ greater than that (X₁) of therecesses in FIG. 3. The recess 21 has two steps 31, 32 at opposite ends,and likewise, the recess 22 has two steps 33, 34 at opposite ends, thesteps 31, 33 being located in a diametrically opposite relation to thesteps 32, 34, respectively. If the lock plate 7 is rotated, with thelength X₆, in a clockwise direction (direction R in FIG. 4), theopposite edges of the lock plate 7 are moved away from the steps 31, 33and then brought into engagement with the steps 32, 34, respectively.Further rotation of the lock plate 7 causes the sliding ring 10f torotate whereby the arcuate portions 12, 12 are strongly pressed againstthe inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 5. In other words, if thesliding ring 10f is rotated in a clockwise direction (R), the arcuateportions 12, 12 are deformed in such a direction as to increase thediameter of the sliding ring 10f . This results in an increase in africtional force Ff between the arcuate portions 12, 12 and the cylinder5 and causes the sliding ring 10f to rotate slowly.

All of the sliding rings 10a to 10f have such recesses 21, 22 witharcuate lengths X₁, X₂, X₃, X₄, X₅ and X₆, respectively. These lengthsX₁, X₂, X₃, X₄, X₅ and X₆ are longer in that order. Accordingly, if thelock plate 7 is rotated in a clockwise direction from a position shownin FIG. 3, it is brought into engagement with the steps 32, 34 of thesliding ring 10a, first. The lock plate 7 then comes into engagementwith the steps 32, 34 of the sliding rings 10b through 10f,successively. This results in an increase in the number of the slidingrings rotatable together with the lock plate 7. As the lock plate 7approaches its horizontal position, the frictional forces between thesliding rings 10a through 10f and the cylinder 5 and thus, braking forceapplied to the lock plate 7 increase.

Again and more specifically, if a user applies downward force to thetoilet seat 2 and then releases his hand therefrom, the toilet seat 2may be rotated in a direction as to close the toilet body 1. Therotation of the toilet seat 2 initiates rotation of the lock plate 7.The lock plate 7 is then moved away from the steps 31, 33 and broughtinto engagement with the steps 32, 34. Further rotation of the lockplate 7 causes the sliding ring 10a to slidingly contact the innerperipheral surface of the cylinder 5. During the rotation of the slidingring 10a, the frictional force Fa is gradually applied to the slidingring 10a from the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 5. Next, thelock plate 7 comes into engagement with the steps 32, 34 in the slidingring 10b whereby a frictional force Fb is applied to the sliding ring10b. As a result, the sum of the frictional force Fa and the frictionalforce Fb is applied to the lock plate 7. While the sliding ring 10b isbeing slowly rotated, the lock plate 7 is brought into engagement withthe steps 32, 34 in the sliding ring 10c. By the same token, africtional force Fc is applied to the sliding ring 10c from the innerperipheral surface of the cylinder 5 as it is slowly rotated.

Successively thereafter, the lock plate 7 comes into engagement with thesteps 32, 34 of each of the sliding rings 10d, 10e and 10f. Thefrictional force increases as the sliding rings 10a through 10f aresuccessively rotated together with the lock plate 7. Thus, as the toiletseat 2 approaches its horizontal position, the frictional force andthus, the braking force gradually increase. In other word, as the toiletseat 2 approaches its horizontal position, moment applied to the toiletseat 2 under the influence of the gravity increases and also, thebraking force gradually increases. The toilet seat 2 is, thereby, slowlyrotated and then, softly and gently brought into contact with the toiletbody 1. This prevents sudden contact of the toilet seat 2 with thetoilet body 1 and substantial noise due thereto upon closing of thetoilet body 1.

Likewise, upon closing of the toilet lid 3, the lock plate 8successively comes into engagement with the steps 32, 34 of each of thesliding rings 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E and 10F. Such engagement willgradually reduce a torque by which the toilet cover 3 is rotated.

In order to open the toilet body 1, the user holds the toilet seat 2 orthe toilet lid 3 and then, pulls up the same. When the toilet seat 2 orthe toilet lid 3 is rotated or moved to its vertical position, thesliding rings 10a through 10f and the sliding rings 10A through 10F arerotated in a counterclockwise direction (direction opposite to thedirection R in FIGS. 3 and 4) together with the lock plates 7, 8 whileopposite edges of each of the lock plates 7, 8 are held in engagementwith the sliding rings 10a through 10f and the sliding rings 10A through10F. During the rotation of the sliding rings, the arcuate portions aredeformed in a direction to reduce the diameter of each of the slidingrings 10a through 10f and the sliding rings 10A through 10F. As such,the sliding rings 10a through 10f and the sliding rings 10A to 10F canbe smoothly rotated, with little frictional force, within the cylinder5, and the toilet seat 2 or the toilet lid 3 can be lightly opened.

It will be understood that the number of the sliding rings 10a to 10fand the sliding rings 10A to 10F fitted within the cylinder 5 maysuitably be selected to the extent that sliding rings have respectiverecesses 21, 22 of gradually variable arcuate distance.

Although the preferred embodiment of the invention has been described indetail, it will be appreciated that variations may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mechanism mounted on a toilet bowl having anupper rim defining an upper horizontal surface and pivotally supportingat least one toilet bowl covering member in a manner to allow slowrotation of the same, said mechanism comprising:a cylinder on the toiletbowl and extending in a parallel direction to said horizontal surface, aplurality of elastomeric rings having outer and inner peripheralsurfaces and being coaxially fitted within said cylinder: at least onelock plate fitted within said plurality of rings, and having side edges;and a boss extending from an edge of said at least one covering memberand connected to said lock plate: each of said plurality of ringsincluding, at the outer peripheral surface thereof, at least one arcuateportion having first and second ends held in sliding contact with aninner peripheral surface of said cylinder, and a first step formed insaid outer periphery at said second end, said at least one arcuateportion extending from said first step to said first end to form anouter recess, said recess tapering from said first step toward saidfirst end of said arcuate portion; each of said plurality of ringsincluding, at the inner peripheral surface thereof, inner recesses eachhaving two second steps at opposite ends thereof, said side edges of thelock plate being fitted within said inner recesses and engageable withsaid second steps: and said inner recesses of said plurality of ringshaving different arcuate lengths, whereby when said at least onecovering member is in a vertical position, said side edges of said lockplate are in engagement with one of said second steps in each ring andas said covering member is rotated to a horizontal position, said lockplate is moved away from said ones of said second steps and then broughtinto engagement with the other second step in said respective rings,successively from the shortest arcuate length of the inner recess to thelongest arcuate length of the inner recess, said rings being rotated inthe direction in which said outer recess at the outer periphery thereofis tapered.
 2. A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said coveringmember is a toilet seat.
 3. A mechanism according to claim 1, whereinsaid covering member is a toilet lid.
 4. A mechanism according to claim1, wherein said covering member includes a toilet seat and a toilet lid,and said lock plate includes first and second lock plates, said firstlock plate being fitted in one end of said cylinder and connected tosaid toilet seat, and said second lock plate being fitted in the otherend of said cylinder and connected to said toilet lid, said plurality ofrings being fitted around said first and second lock plates,respectively.
 5. A mechanism according to claim 4, further comprising aspring disposed to urge said plurality of rings fitted around said firstlock plates and said plurality of rings fitted around said second lockplates in a direction away from each other.
 6. A mechanism according toclaim 1, wherein said lock plate has a cylindrical portion held insliding contact with the inner peripheral surface of said cylinder and aplate-like member integral with said cylindrical portion and extendingaxially of said cylinder, said plate-like member having opposite sideedges being engageable with said second steps.
 7. A mechanism accordingto claim 1, wherein said cylinder has an integral base portion throughwhich said cylinder is fixed to said toilet bowl.
 8. A mechanismaccording to claim 1, wherein said plurality of rings is made of rubber.9. A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of rings ismade of synthetic resin.